‘Bye Bye Birdie’ opens at Pax Amicus July 28

Rosie (played by Alexa Ortiz, left) and Albert (Joshua Boyer) share a moment in a scene from "Bye Bye Birdie." The musical about the chaos surrounding a hip-swiveling rock 'n' roll star who is drafted into the army opens at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake tonight.(Photo: Photo courtesy of Amanda Boyer)

Story Highlights

“Bye Bye Birdie” runs at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake from July 28 through August 12. The Tony-winning musical’s book by Michael Stewart centers on an Elvis-like rocker who agrees to kiss a typical teenage girl as a publicity stunt before he is inducted into the Army. The score includes such songs with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams (who later collaborated on “Annie”) as “Put on a Happy Face,’ “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” and “Kids.”

That sentiment, expressed by Richard Boyer of Budd Lake, may summarize the enduring appeal of the musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Despite being set in 1958, with cultural references (Ed Sullivan? Henry Luce?) likely to sail over the heads of many audience members – to say nothing of younger cast members – “Birdie” continues to fly high among musicals.

Boyer is directing a production of “Bye Bye Birdie” that opens tonight at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake and runs through August 12.

The book by Michael Stewart hinges on Conrad Birdie, a pelvis-swiveling rock ‘n’ roll idol who has been drafted into the Army. As a publicity stunt before his induction, the singer agrees to give “one last kiss” to a teen from a small Ohio town.

The parallels with Elvis Presley, who was drafted in 1957 at the peak of his fame, are obvious. (Less well-known: the name “Conrad Birdie” was a take-off on Conway Twitty, an Elvis-like rocker who later became a country music star.)

But though Birdie (played at Pax by Jakob Copper of Chester) is the title character, he actually plays a minor presence. More crucial is Kim MacAfee (Katie Reardon of Rokaway), the girl chosen to kiss Conrad on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Even more important to the story are Albert Peterson (Josh Boyer of Budd Lake, son of director Richard Boyer), Birdie’s long-suffering manager, and Rosie Alvarez (Alexa Ortiz of Bridgewater), Albert’s even-longer-suffering girlfriend.

Besides dealing with Birdie, Albert must also contend with his mother, Mae (Ruth Anne Erb of Newton), as stereotypical a controlling maternal figure as can be found.

Propelling the chaos around Birdie’s induction are such breezy songs as “Kids,” “Rosie,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” and “Put on a Happy Face.” The score is by lyricist Lee Adams and composer Charles Strouse, who later collaborated on “Annie.”

Richard Boyer, a professed fan of the 1963 film version of “Birdie,” said that the story does have a message of sorts. “It’s about growing up,” he said. “Kim is trying to grow up too fast. Albert never learned how to grow up because of his mother.”

Even Birdie, in the Pax production, is a character who was never able to appreciate his childhood. “Our Conrad is only about 18,” Richard Boyer said. “So when he sings ‘A Lot of Livin’ to Do,’ he’s really singing about himself.”

At the same time, “Bye Bye Birdie” presents an idealized sitcom version of small-town America and 1950s teen culture, with its focus on getting pinned and going steady.

“You can tell it was written in a different time” said Josh Boyer. At one point, Albert makes a speech about being a man that, if delivered seriously, would make some audiences in 2017 either grit their teeth or cringe.

“But the way we’re doing that speech, it’s goofy and over-the-top,” Josh Boyer said. “You sort of have to do it that way.”

For her part, Ortiz admires the character of Rosie, who is determined and goal-oriented – even though her goal is to get married and settle down with Albert. “I think it’s great that she’s able to put her foot down, even if she is conventional,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz added that she sees “Bye Bye Birdie” as having resonance in today’s celebrity culture. She said the fuss over Conrad Birdie mirrors modern obsession with the Kardashians, Brangelina, and other famous figures.

However, Ortiz added that imposing “messages” on “Bye Bye Birdie” may be overstating the case. “This show is funny and ridiculous,” she said. “But parts of it are very sweet, and I think the Albert and Rosie story is something people will relate to.”

Richard Boyer said that those characteristics make “Bye Bye Birdie” an ideal piece of summer entertainment. “Sometimes you need something that is just funny and light,” he said. “Now might be the perfect time for that.”

IF YOU WANT TO GO

“BYE BYE BIRDIE”

WHAT: Musical depicts the chaos surrounding an Elvis-like rocker’s induction into the Army and a publicity stunt in which he kisses a teenage girl from a small town.